EXCLUSIVE HOSPITAL bosses are seeking permission to build a children's nursery on a site known to be contaminated with chemicals linked to cancer.

HOSPITAL bosses are seeking permission to build a children's nursery on a site known to be contaminated with chemicals linked to cancer.

General Healthcare Group, which runs Alexandra Hospital in Cheadle, has submitted the planning application for nearby derelict land on Mill Lane.

Former uses for the site include a chemical works and bleach factory and a survey by consultants Sinclair Knight Merz last year found parts of it contained "elevated concentrations" of heavy metals and chlorinated solvents. Among these is tetrachloroethene, which laboratory experiments on animals have found to cause cancer.

Although the application is at the outline stage, proposals even include a membrane around the building to prevent the possible entry of vapours.

The news prompted outrage from one Stockport councillor, who wished to remain anonymous, and said: "No child of mine would ever be allowed to go to that nursery."

Barbara Brownridge, from agent Graham Bolton Planning Partnership, who prepared the application, said the proposed single storey building and 143-space car park would help solve the contamination problem and seal it underground.

She added: "The proposed nursery building has been sited in a location where there has been no known contaminated usage and is upgradient of the areas where significant groundwater contamination has been identified.

"It is unlikely that any deeper contamination would impact on the development although this would have to be confirmed by a human health risk assessment.

"There would be no immediate risk to human health which means there could be long term monitoring of the site to determine what is happening to the contamination. This would allow the appropriate treatment to be identified."

While the nursery development would cover most of the site, part would be left for boreholes.

These would be used to study the contamination, which, Ms Brownridge admitted, can move through different areas of the site as soil breaks down.

A spokesman for General Healthcare Group said "multi layer rafts" would be put down for the nursery and outdoor play area to be built on. This would avoid digging down and disturbing any chemicals in the ground.

The spokesman continued: "The site is derelict, both for our benefit and the community we are trying to do something with it."

If the nursery gets the go-ahead it would be open seven days a week from 7am-10.30pm.

A Stockport Council spokesman confirmed it had already turned down "several" proposed developments at the site.

And added: "The council is consulting with environmental health regarding the contamination issues.

"Following the consultation period, all applications will be considered in the normal way."